Neurodegenerative Disorders

Recent studies have revealed that certain types of movement impairments and cognitive deﬁcits represent external markers of damage to underlying neural processes. BSF projects build on the results of these findings to identify the behavioral, linguistic, and cognitive biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. Our neurodegenerative research aims, specifically, to non-invasively identify early disease biomarkers based on the behavioral and linguistic output of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

Basic research focuses on understanding how these parameters interact and will assist in developing explanatory paradigms of regulation and control mechanisms of the system. Applied research focuses on the quantification of these biomarkers at an early stage, which is needed for the development of new intervention strategies.

Note: The Ice Bucket Challenge, which is thought to have started in Summer 2014 and quickly gone viral, has raised more than $220 million and counting (as of April 2015) for charities devoted to raising awareness of ALS and neurodegenerative research. Despite the increased spotlight, many people still don’t know much about ALS or other neurodegenerative disorders.